Journalist-Govt tussle: No newspaper in Manipur

Newspapers in Manipur failed to hit the stands today because of a tussle between journalists and the State government.

While journalists, under the direction of the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU), wanted the immediate release of A Mobi, the editor of local daily Sanaleibak, without any condition, official sources said Chief Minister O Ibobi was looking into the matter.

Mr. Mobi was arrested on December 29 for alleged links with a militant outfit.

However, AMWJU strongly denied Mr. Mobi’s alleged links with militants and said the State government had failed to protect the rights of journalists.

Journalists were called by militant outfits from time to time to explain situation and their stand on various incidents and issues, an AMWJU spokesman said.

Police and State authorities know the situation very well, the spokesman claimed, adding that Mr. Mobi, being the vice- president of AMWJU, was authorised to tackle the issue.